SIST EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Jun-2025
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 06-Nov-2026
• Ref Project: EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure, Method F10

• Replaces: SIST EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-22: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods (IEC 60794-1-22:2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2026
• Refers: SIST EN IEC 60793-1-46:2024 - Optical fibres - Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures - Monitoring of changes in attenuation (IEC 60793-1-46:2024)
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Refers: SIST EN IEC 60794-1-1:2023 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic specification - General (IEC 60794-1-1:2023)
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 3745-505:2018 - Aerospace series - Fibres and cables, optical, aircraft use - Test methods - Part 505: Cable tensile strength
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN IEC 62148-1:2018 - Fibre optic active components and devices - Package and interface standards - Part 1: General and guidance (IEC 62148-1:2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2026
• Referred By: SIST-TS CLC/TS 50621:2016 - Guideline for the repair of damaged installed optical fibre cables and microducts
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2026

Overview

SIST EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 specifies generic test procedures for evaluating the environmental performance of optical fibre cables under hydrostatic pressure, focusing on underwater cable resistance. This standard, developed by SIST and based on international IEC guidelines, defines Method F10 to test the ability of optical fibre cables to withstand hydrostatic pressure both radially and longitudinally when used in submerged environments. The document provides uniform testing requirements for telecommunications and hybrid cables incorporating optical fibres and electrical conductors, helping ensure their reliability and durability in underwater applications.

Key Topics

• Hydrostatic Pressure Resistance:

  • Evaluates cables' ability to resist water pressure radially (F10A) and longitudinally (F10B, F10C).
  • Simulates real-world underwater conditions, including cable breaks.

• Test Method Variants:

  • F10A: Tests radial hydrostatic pressure, focusing on structural integrity and attenuation stability.
  • F10B: Assesses resistance to longitudinal water ingress, including scenarios with local cable damage.
    • F10B.1: One end open, one sealed, entire cable submerged.
    • F10B.2: Part of the cable submerged, part exposed, both ends open to test water migration.
  • F10C: Measures water leakage when cable passes through water-tight compartments, simulating marine environments.

• Sampling and Equipment:

  • Specifies requirements for sample length, pressurization vessels, measuring devices (for attenuation and water presence), and water composition.
  • Recommends use of fluorescent dye for water detection and attention to compatibility with cable materials.

• Procedural Guidelines:

  • Defines test durations (e.g., 24 hours or 14 days depending on method).
  • Sets criteria for evaluating results: no unacceptable attenuation changes, structural deformations, or excessive water ingress.
  • Outlines specific details to report, such as cable type, test conditions, results, and any deviations.

Applications

• Telecommunications Submarine Cables: Ensures that optical fibre cables maintain integrity and transmission quality when deployed underwater for long-haul and local communication links.
• Data Transmission for Offshore Installations: Verifies performance for cables used on ships, oil rigs, or crossing water bodies.
• Hybrid Cables: Applicable to cables combining optical fibres with electrical conductors, expanding the range of utility for underwater power and signal delivery.
• Product Development and Quality Assurance: Adopted by manufacturers and testing bodies to verify cable compliance before installation in critical marine or freshwater environments.

By adhering to the rigorous test methods defined in SIST EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026, stakeholders ensure that submerged optical fibre cables demonstrate reliable resistance to water ingress and deformation under environmental pressure, minimizing the risk of failures or service disruptions.

Related Standards

• IEC 60794-1-1: General requirements and definitions for optical fibre cables.
• IEC 60794-1-2: General guidance on basic optical cable test methods.
• IEC 60793-1-46: Procedures for monitoring changes in optical attenuation.
• ITU-T G.976: Test methods applicable to optical fibre submarine cable systems.
• IEC 60794-1-22: Previous compendium covering environmental test methods, now superseded in part by Method F10 as a stand-alone standard.

Implementing SIST EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 helps organizations meet high standards for underwater cable performance, supporting safe, resilient infrastructure for global communications.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025
01-junij-2025
Optični kabli - 1-210. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Okoljske preskusne metode - Odpornost podvodnega kabla proti
hidrostatičnemu tlaku, metoda f10
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic
pressure, method f10
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-210: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais d’environnement -
Résistance des câbles immergés à la pression hydrostatique, méthode f10
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025
86A/2554/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-210 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-04-25 2025-07-18
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2388/CD, 86A/2549/CC
IEC SC 86A : FIBRES AND CABLES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Laurent Gasca
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

ASPECTS CONCERNED:
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.
This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
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Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some
Countries” clauses to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is
the final stage for submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure, Method
F10
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2028
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
download this electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National
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oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-210 ED1 © IEC 2025 2
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 3
4 1 Scope . 5
5 2 Normative references . 5
6 3 Terms and definitions . 5
7 4 Method F10: Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure . 5
8 4.1 Object . 5
9 4.2 Sample . 6
10 4.3 Apparatus . 6
11 4.3.1 Pressure vessel . 6
12 4.3.2 Water . 6
13 4.3.3 Optical attenuation measuring apparatus . 6
14 4.3.4 Detecting devices . 6
15 4.4 Procedure . 7
16 4.4.1 General . 7
17 4.4.2 Procedure for F10A . 7
18 4.4.3 Procedure for F10B . 7
19 4.4.4 Procedure for F10C . 8
20 4.5 Requirements . 9
21 4.6 Details to be specified . 9
22 4.7 Details to be reported . 9
23 Bibliography . 11
25 Figure 1 – Test set-up of F10A . 7
26 Figure 2 – Test set-up of F10B.1. 8
27 Figure 3 – Test set-up of F10B.2. 8
28 Figure 4 – Test set-up of F10C . 9
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-210 ED1 © IEC 2025 3
30 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
31 ____________
33 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
35 Part 1-210: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
36 Environmental test methods –Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic
37 pressure, Method F10
39 FOREWORD
40 1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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67 Publications.
68 8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
69 indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
70 9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
71 rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
72 IEC 60794-1-210 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
73 committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
74 This first edition cancels and replaces Method F10 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-22
75 published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
76 This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
77 edition:
78 a) the environmental test contained in IEC 60794-1-22: 2017 will now be individually numbered
79 in the IEC 60794-1-2xx series. Each test method is now considered to be an individual
80 document rather than part of a multi-test method compendium.
81 b) the original method F10 is reserved as F10A, and two new test methods F10B and F10C
82 are added according to the different test object and procedure.
83 c) for method F10A, detailed content of apparatus, procedure and details to be specified are
84 modified, and set-up is added.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-210 ED1 © IEC 2025 4
85 d) detailed content of object, sample, apparatus, procedure, set-up, requirements, details to
86 be specified and reported of method F10B and F10C are added.
87 The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/XX/FDIS 86A/XX/RVD
89 Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
90 the above table.
91 The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
92 This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
93 accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
94 at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
95 described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
96 A list of all parts in the IEC 60794 series, published under the general title Optical fibre cables,
97 can be found on the IEC website.
98 The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
99 stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
100 specific document. At this date, the document will be
101 • reconfirmed,
102 • withdrawn,
103 • replaced by a revised edition, or
104 • amended.
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-210:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-210 ED1 © IEC 2025 5
106 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
108 Part 1-210: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
109 Environmental test methods –Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic
110 pressure, Method F10
113 1 Scope
114 This part of IEC 60794-1 describes test p
...